In possession of an iPhone? Then you certainly will have said something to Siri at some point. For example: ‘Hey Siri, open the 538-app’. In a few years we will not only be talking to our phones, but to everything. The lightbulb, the coffee machine, and of course the radio as well. You will be able to operate everything easily by voice. Quite useful if you already have more than enough to deal with and you do not want to get up.

As of now it is possible to listen to your favourite Dutch radio stations in JUKE on command via your voice through Alexa, the digital assistant from Amazon. Just ask for example, to turn on a Dutch radio station or a Dutch theme channel, or for more information about the show, or ask which song is playing. Furthermore, it is possible as well to listen back to on-demand radio shows and to stay up-to-date by asking for the latest news.

The expectation is, that in a few years we will have all kind of devices to which we will be talking in our homes. And that these devices will say something (intelligent) back. Is it possible to do that right now? And how does this work exactly?

How does it work?

Install Alexa on your Sonos or buy an Amazon Smart Speaker abroad.

Download the Amazon Alexa app on your phone.

Create an account and log in.

Click on the menu icon (top left).

Go to skills at the bottom. (Alexa doesn’t know apps, it uses skills. It basically means the same.)

Search for JUKE in your search bar.

Press JUKE.

Next, open the menu about JUKE. Press enable.

JUKE is on your Alexa-speaker now and it’s ready to use.

Just go and lay back on your couch and say: ‘Alexa, open JUKE’.

Alexa will ask you which radio station you would like to listen to, so you can ask for example: ‘Alexa, ask JUKE to play Radio Five, Three, Eight’.

Yes indeed, Alexa will only speak English for the coming time, so mind your pronunciation. However, the radio stations are all in Dutch, but hopefully Alexa will go on a civic integration course soon.

JUKE in Alexa isn’t only super useful, but it surprises you too with musical jokes that are aligned with the broad range of radio stations and its associated theme channels. Just ask Alexa: “Alexa, ask JUKE who is number one in the Top 40?” and Alexa will answer with a nod: “You’ll just have to listen to find out” and the digital assistant will turn Radio 538 Top 40 on. Ask Alexa: “Alexa, ask JUKE to play some baby-making music” and Alexa will put on the theme channel, ‘Sky Radio Lovesongs’.

Giel Beelen already kicked off and tried the JUKE Alexa-skill. In the video alongside, Giel will show you how it works and what kind of answers you can expect when using the skill.

1. Alexa, ask JUKE to annoy my neighbours.

Okay, let’s turn up the speakers (Alexa plays: SLAM Hardstyle)

2. Alexa, ask JUKE to take me to the sun

Hey, we’re going to ibiza. (Alexa plays: 538 Ibiza)

3. Alexa, ask JUKE to play some baby-making music

Enjoy! (Alexa plays: Sky Lovesongs)

4. Alexa, ask JUKE to write me a song!

I’m sorry, my writing skills are not great, now playing Sky’s Singer & Songwriter station

5. Alexa, ask JUKE to play Nick & Simon

Ohh you like paling sound? Of course, here is 100%NL

Soon listeners will be able to share their mood with Alexa – from sad to happy, in order for JUKE to find and turn on a fitting radio station.